LiMn₂O₄ was synthesized rapidly by microwave heating. The product phases of the microwave synthesis and conventional solid-state synthesis were comparatively invesitigated. The capacity of microwave synthesis product decreases relatively slow. The lithium ion can be inserted into and extracted from the spinel framework structure fluently after cycling. But the capacity of the conventional solid-state synthesis product is more remarkably lowered. The spinel framework structure was destroyed which hindered the lithium ion from inserting and extracting. The influential factors of the process parameters are discussed such as heat preservation time, pre-heating at 400°C for 24h and coupled agent.

α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP)/tetracalcium phosphate (TTCP) composite bone cement had good hydration characteristic. In our system, α-TCP/TTCP powder mixture was mixed with water at a powder/liquid (P/L) ratio of 1.50g·mL⁻¹. The setting time could be adjusted, the maximum compressive strength was 45.36MPa, and the hydration product was hydroxyapatite (HAP). In vitro biological simulated experiments indicate that α-TCP/TTCP bone cement has α certain dissolubility. The hardened product is mainly HAP after soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 10 weeks. The results of in vitro test and animal experiments and SEM analyses show that no local or general toxicity response, no muscle stimulation, no haemolysis, no cruor, no inflammatory reaction and no exclusion response are caused by α-TCP/TTCP cement, which can be contributed to bone tissue spreading and impinging. α-TCP/TTCP cement hydrated and hardened continually in vivo. The materials fused with host bone together with implanting time prolonging. Therefore, it is believed that α-TCP/TTCP composite bone cement has a high biocompatibility and bioactivity, a certain biodegradation and good osteogenesis as well.

The method of controlling separating anode and separating power source was used to perform orthogonal optimization for the parameters in electroplating Zn-Al alloy. The electroplating Zn-Al alloy technology was decided, in which the content of Al is about 12%–15%.

To develop a new generation of absorbable fracture fixation devices with enhanced biocompatibility, the biodegradation mechanism and its influence on the cellular response at the tissue/implant interface of hydroxyapatite/poly-DL-lactide (HA/PDLIA) composites were investigated in vitro and in vivo. HA/PDLIA rods were immersed in phosphate-buffered saline, or implanted in muscle and bony tissue for 52 weeks. Scanning electron microscopic and histological studies were done. The degradation rate was the slowest in vitro, slower in muscle tissue and fast in bone. In vitro, the composites degraded heterogeneously and a hollow structure was formed. In bone, the limited clearing capacity leads to the accumulation of oligomeric debris, which contribute totally to the autocatalytic effect. So, the fastest degradation and intense tissue response were seen. In muscle tissue, oligomeric debris migrated into vicinal fibers over a long distance from the original implant cavity and the tissue reactions were, however, quite moderate. For the same size organic/inorganic composite, the environment where it was placed is the major factor in determining its biodegradation process and cellular reaction. In living tissue, factors such as cells, enzymes and mechanical stress have an obvious influence on the biodegradation and biological process at the tissue/implant interface. The biocompatibility of the HA/PDLIA composites is enhanced with the incorporating of the resorbable HA microparticles.

Tissue engineering has confronted many difficulties mainly as follows: 1) How to modulate the adherence, proliferation, and oriented differentiation of seed cells, especially that of stemcells. 2) Massive preparation and sustained controllable delivery of tissue inducing factors or plasmid DNA, such as growth factors, angiogenesis stimulators, and so on. 3) Development of “intelligent biomimetic materials” as extracellular matrix with a good superficial and structural compatibility as well as biological activity to stimulate predictable, controllable and desirable responses under defined conditions. Molecular biology is currently one of the most exciting fields of research across life sciences, and the advances in it also bring a bright future for tissue engineering to overcome these difficulties. In recent years, tissue engineering benefits a lot from molecular biology. Only a comprehensive understanding of the involved ingredients of tissue engineering (cells tissue inducing factors, genes, biomaterials) and the subtle relationships between them at molecular level can lead to a successful manipulation of reparative processes and a better biological substitute. Molecular tissue engineering, the offspring of the tissue engineering and molecular biology, has gained an increasing importance in recent years. It offers the promise of not simply replacing tissue, but improving the restoration. The studies presented in this article put forward this new concept for the first time and provide an insight into the basic principles, status and challenges of this emerging technology.

Space symmetry of prehnite, which occurs in cavities and veins within Skarn from the Tieshan iron mineral deposit, Daye, Hubei province, Central China, has been determined using selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and convergent-beam electron diffraction (CBED) on the submicrometer scale. Our results confirm that the natural prehnite may have the structure with symmetry Pncm. The unit-cell parameters of investigated prehnite (a=0.458 nm, b=0.555 nm, and c=1.853 nm) have been calculated by using the multicrystal diffraction rings of gold, the internal standard.

Al-induced lateral crystallization of amorphous silicon thin films by microwave annealing is investigated. The crystallized Si films are examined by optical microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and transmission electron diffraction micrography. After microwave annealing at 480 °C for 50 min, the amorphous Si is completely crystallized with large grains of main (111) orientation. The rate of lateral crystallization is 0.04 μm/min. This process, labeled MILC-MA, not only lowers the temperature but also reduces the time of crystallization. The crystallization mechanism during microwave annealing and the electrical properties of polycrystalline Si thin films are analyzed. This MILC-MA process has potential applications in large area electronics.

The properties and tensile behaviors of polypropylene (PP) geogrids and geonets for reinforcement of soil structures are investigated. Mass per unit area of the geogrids and geonets was weighed using an electronic balance and aperture sizes of the geonets were exactly measured using a computer. Laboratory tests were performed using a small tensile machine capable of monitoring tensile force and displacement. Tensile failure behaviors were described, and tensile index properties such as tensile strength, maximum tensile strain, tensile forces corresponding to different strains in the geogrids and gronets were obtained. The characterization of these indexes is discussed.

Based on the principle of Tuned Mass Damper (TMD), the test of a new quake-reduction system was investigated. The main structure of the system is connected with the top floor through Laminated Rubber Bearing (LRB) to make up a huge TMD system-suspended structure. It was shown from the test that the new TMD quake-reduction system can reduce the acceleration of the top floor by more than one quarter if the parameters are chosen efficiently. Since the good effectiveness and easy availability, this system has the practical value in earth quake engineering.

Both titanium and germanium were introduced into silicon dioxide system by sol-gel method to move its region of anomalous dispersion caused by IR resonance absorption towards the wavelength of CO₂ laser. It is indicated by IR absorption spectra that as the content of SiO₂ decreases in this glass system TiO₂ and GeO₂ tends to exist in their own phases. As for the gel glass with a composition of 40 SiO₂·30TiO₂·30GeO₂, when the temperature is below 600°C, germanium atoms exist mainly in Ge−O−Ge bonds. With the temperature increasing from 800°C to 1000°C, titanium atoms in Si−O−Ti bonds abmost transform into Ti−O−Ti bonds. Furthermore, a large number of Si−O−Ti and Si−O−Ge bonds formed when the temperature approaches 800°C, which makes a notable IR absorption band round the wavelength of CO₂ laser. Therefore, sol-gel based SiO₂−TiO₂−GeO₂ gel glass is a candidate material for CO₂ laser hollow waveguide.

The analysis method on random time dependence of reinforced concrete material is introduced, the effect mechanism on reinforced concrete are discussed, and the random time dependence resistance of reinforced concrete is studied. Furthermore, the corrosion of steel bar in reinforced concrete structures is analyzed. A practical statistical method of evaluating the random time dependent resistance, which includes material, structural size and calculation influence, is also established. In addition, an example of predicting random time dependent resistance of reinforced concrete structural element is given.

BN ceramic is an advanced engineering ceramics with excellent thermal shock resistance, good workability and excellent dielectricity. TiB₂ ceramic has excellent electric conductivity, high melting points, and corrosion resistance to molten metal. Therefore, the composite consisting of BN and TiB₂ ceramics is expected to have a combination of above-mentioned properties, thereby can be used as self- heating crucible. In this paper, hot pressing technology was used to fabricate the high performance BN-TiB₂ composite materials. microstructure and electric conducting mechanism were studied, and the relationship between the microstructure and physical property was discussed. The results show that the microstructure of composites has a great influence on the physical property of composites. The BN-TiB₂ composites with excellent mechanical strength and stable resistivity can be obtained by optimizing the processing parameter and controlling the microstructure of composites.

Effects of Ba filling fraction on the thermoelectric properties of p-type filled skutterudite compounds Ba_yFe_1.6Co_2.4Sb₁₂ (y=0−0.63) were investigated. Ba_yFe_1.6Co_2.4Sb₁₂ showed p-type conduction. The hall coefficient (R_h) and seebeck coefficient (α) increased with increasing Ba filling fraction. But hole concentration (p) and electrical conductivity (σ) decreased. While Ba filling fraction was about 0.4, the lattice thermal conductivity (k_L) reached the minimum value. The results show that effect of Ba rattling on phonon scattering is the strongest as Sb-icosahedron partial voids are filled by Ba. A maximum dimensionless thermoelectric figure of merit (ZT) value of 0.7 was obtained for Ba_0.38Fe_1.6Co_2.4Sb₁₂ at 750 K.

The manner by which the particles settle in the laminar flow region is first described and the characteristics of co-sedimentation of two-species particles are summarized. The subsequent introduction is focused on the fabrication process of continuously graded composites using co-sedimentation technique. Finally, the authors point out the key problem that should be solved immediately, based on their current work.

A type of recycling agent was developed and its use for modifying used asphalt is described. The results show that the viscosity and three main properties of the aged asphalt were remarkably improved. With 5%–7% content of recycling agent, the main properties of recycled asphalt comported with China GB asphalt standard AH—70 and the recycled asphalt concrete could be used as high-grade highway. Furthermore, the recycling mechanism of the aged asphalt is discussed.

The smart properties of homogeneous electrorheological fluid (HERF) containing side—chain type liquid crystalline polymer were studied and an actual HERF damper with an adjustable viscosity was produced. A mechanical model of the HERF smart damper was established on the basis of experiment and theoretical analysis. Then a controlled equation of SDOF structure by HERF damper was derived and a semi-active control strategy based on optimal sliding displacement of damper was presented. The simulation results for a single story frame structure indicate that HERF, which may avoid some defects of common particles-suspended ER fluids, is an excellent smart material with better stability. Using the semi-active control strategy presented, HERF smart damper controlled could effectively reduce seismic responses of structures and keeps the control stable at all times.

The strength of rockmass from two aspects is analyzed. Firstly, the strength of the rockmass is mainly controlled by the critical stress value of rock, and the contribution of joints is to increase the effective stresses of rock and to decrease the damage strength of rockmass according to the macro-damage mechanics of rockmass. Secondly, the strength of rockmass is mainly controlled by the fracture strength of joints. Based on the comprehensive analysis and comparison for the damage strength of rockmass and the fracture strength of joints, a composite damage theory of rockmass may be established.

Ag−TiO₂ thin films were prepared on glasses. The morphology and structure of Ag−TiO₂ films were investigated by XRD, SEM and FT-IR. The photocatalytic and hydrophilic properties of Ag−TiO₂ thin films were also evaluated by examining photocatalytic degradation dichlorophos under sunlight illumination and the change of contact angle respectively. The research results show that the Ag−TiO₂ thin film is mainly composed of 20–100 nm Ag and TiO₂ particles. The Ag−TiO₂ thin films possess a super-hydrophilic ability and higher photocatalytic activity than that of pure TiO₂ thin film.

Normal spinel LiMn₂O₄ was synthesized by sol-gel method using lithium nitrate, manganese nitrate, citric acid and ethylene glycol as raw materials. LiMn₂O₄ was characterized by XRD, TG-DTA, IR, SEM and AAS. The optimum conditions for the synthesis were explored. Citric acid and ethylene glycol were mixed with molar ratio of 0.25, and the mixture was esterified at 140°C for 4 hours. Then lithium nitrate and manganese nitrate were added with molar ratio of 0.6. In the system, the total molar of cations was equal to that of citric acid. At last, reflux the system at 105°C for 2 hours. Dried gel was fired at 600°C for 8 hours. Particle diameters of raw product were about 100 nm mainly. Further research shows that lithium ion of LiMn₂O₄ is easy to be extracted, and normal spinel λ-MnO₂ can be obtained after lithium ion extraction.

The bonding of steel plate to Al-7 graphite slurry was studied for the first time. The relationship model about preheat temperature of steel plate, solid fraction of Al-7 graphite slurry, rolling speed and interfacial shear strength of bonding plate could be established by artificial neural networks perfectly. This model could be optimized with a genetic algorithm. The optimum bonding parameters are: 516°C for preheat temperature of steel plate, 32.5% for solid fraction of Al-7 graphite slurry and 12 mm/s for rolling speed, and the largest interfacial shear strength of bonding plate is 70.6MPa.

CaSO₄ whisker reinforcing and toughening mechanisms for polyurethane elastomer were studied. The effects of dispersity of CaSO₄ whisker and interfacial bonding state on reinforcement and toughness were discussed. The microanalyses showed that CaSO₄ whisker reinforcing mechanism for polyurethane elastomer mainly was load transferring and its toughening mechanism involved crack deflection and whisker pullout. The results indicated that composites with 5%–10% CaSO₄ whisker exhibited the best mechanical properties. Good bonding interface was formed between whisker and matrix after the surface of CaSO₄ whisker was treated by silane coupling agent. The fairly improved strength and toughness are attributed to the better interfacial bonding state.

According to the characteristics of granular soil, the technological requirements of the special-purpose cement for stabilizing granular soil are put forward to meet the demands of implementation of highway base engineering. A kind of slow-setting and slight-expansive cement is developed by the cross experiment method in slag-clinker-gypsum-alkaline system, the final setting time of the cement can be prolonged to 8h, and it has properties of low dry shrinkage, high flexural strength and good crack resistance. The strength of granular soil stabilized by the cement is increased by 20% compared with that stabilized by Chinese 425-Grade slag cement.

A series of 0–3 composites of the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and BaTiO₃ was prepared. BaTiO₃ was modified with titanate coupling agent. The dielectric properties and the interfacial interaction of composites by different preparation methods were examined and compared. The result shows that the relative dielectric constant ∈ of the composite prepared in solution has a maximum value at about 70% weight fraction of BaTiO₃ and the dielectric loss tanδ increases rapidly when the fraction exceeds 70%. For the composite prepared in melt, the relative dielectric constant ε almost reaches a maximum value at about 60% weight fraction of BaTiO₃ and the dielectric loss is comparatively lower. The dielectric properties of composites are improved by using a coupling agent.

Materials such as Koch AH—70, basalt aggregate, limestone powder and graphite particles were used to prepare conductive asphalt concrete, which is a new type of multifunctional concrete. The mix proportion by weight was shown as follows. Fine aggregates (2.36–4.75 mm): fine aggregates (<2.36mm): lime-stone powder: asphalt=120∶240∶14∶30. The content of added graphite particles ranged from 0% to 20% (by the weight of asphalt concrete). A conductive asphalt concrete with a resistivity around 10–10³Ω·m was obtained. Special attention was paid to the effects of graphite content, graphite physical-chemical properties, asphalt content and temperature on the resistivity. Furthermore, an attempt was made to develop an electrically conductive model for asphalt concrete.

The synthesis and characterization of a series of novel poly (aryl amide imide) s based on odiphenyltrimellitic anhydride are described. The poly (aryl amide-imide) s having inherent viscosities of 0.39–1. 43 dL/g in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone at 30°C, were prepared by polymerization with aromatic diamines in N, N-dimethylacetamide and subsequent chemical imidization. All the polymers were amorphous, readily soluble in aprotic polar solvents such as DMAC, NMP, DMF, DMSO, and m-cresol, and could be cast to form flexible and tough films. The glass trsanition temperatures were in the range of 284–336°C, and the temperatures for 5% weight loss in nitrogen were above 468°C.

Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) optically activated is the key technology of optical SMA activator. According to the shape memory mechanism of SMA, researches are done on the activating response time and light wavelength of activating source etc of SMA optically activated to approach the parameters selection of optical activation. SMA has the optimum efficiency in the range of 13 seconds to 27 seconds when SMA is illuminated continuously by wavelength of 675nm; The power of light wave has a low effect on SMA; The longer the activating wavelength, the quicker the response time of SMA activated. If the proper activating time and activating wavelength are adopted, and the structure deformation of composite material of SMA imbedded may be actively controlled, an ideal effect will be gotten. The research provides an evidence for the design of optical SMA activator and is of great significance to its application. The research on smart structure has a wide application prospect.

The low-voltage-electromagnetic forming was applied to powder compaction. A series of experiments was performed to compact aluminum, copper and tin pwders in an indirect working way. Having compacted high-density powder parts successfully, the authors analyzed the effects of voltage, capacitance, friction, compaction times, powder size and other factors on the densities of compacted specimens. The experimental results show that lower voltage but larger capacitance are beneficial to increasing the density and homogeneity of the compacted specimens, if the loading velocity and discharging energy are suitable. The higher the voltage, the greater the percentage of energy consumed by friction. If the equipment energy is limited, the iterative compaction is an efficient way to manufacture homogeneous and high-density powder parts.

Al-pillared interlayered montmorillonite (Al-PILM) was prepared using the artificial Na-montmorillonite from the Qingfengshan bentonite mine as a starting material mixed with Al-pillaring solutions. The microstructure of the materials was studied by an X-ray powder diffractormeter and a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. The results indicated that the basal spacing [d(001) value] of the materials was increased significantly to 1.9194 nm relative to Na-montmorillonite (1.2182 nm). After calcined for 2 h at 300°C, the basal spacing was stabilized at 1.8394 nm and the layered structure of the materials was not destroyed. Thermal analysis was conducted by a thermal gravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) instrument, it showed that Al-PILM lost physically adsorbed water below 230.6°C and water formed by dehydroxylation of the pillars at around 497.1°C, with a peak of the phase transformation at 903.0°C.

Based on sound absorption mechanism of material, the special sound absorption material CEMCOM for road sound insulation is introduced. This high sound absorption material is mainly composed of expanded perlite. Using multiple sound absorption structure can improve sound absorption property of material. According to the preparation principle and durability design of material, a new kind of material with low cost and high durability is developed.

The synthesis of reaction flame retarding unsaturated polyester resin and the flame retarding mechanism are investigated. By taking the synthesis flame retarding unsaturated polyester resin as a base material, glass fibers as reinforced material, under the condition of adding graphite or carbon black respectively, the composites were manufactured. The flame retarding and antistatic properties are also studied. In the experiment, bromide-bearing flame retarding resin decomposed under a high temperature. Compound HBr was set out and retarded or stopped the flame. High concentration of HBr gas wall was formed between gas and solid phrases, which decreased flame. The results show that antistatic property of carbon black is higher than that of graphite. Adding a threshed value of 1% carbon black into composite, the antistatic property is at its highest value.